New York State Legislature

Leaders

The Assembly is headed by the speaker, while the Senate is headed by the president, a post held ex officio by the state lieutenant governor. the lieutenant governor, as president of the Senate, has only a tie-breaking "casting vote". More often, the Senate is presided over by the temporary president, or by a senator of the majority leader's choosing.

The assembly speaker and Senate majority leader control the assignment of committees and leadership positions, along with control of the agenda in their chambers. The two are considered powerful statewide leaders and along with the governor of New York control most of the agenda of state business in New York.

Drafting and research

The Legislative Bill Drafting Commission (LBDC) aids in drafting legislation; advises as to the constitutionality, consistency or effect of proposed legislation; conducts research; and publishes and maintains the documents of the Legislature, such as the Laws of New York. The LBDC consists of two commissioners, the commissioner for administration and the commissioner for operations, each appointed jointly by the temporary president of the Senate and the speaker of the Assembly.

Party control

In the 2018 elections, Democrats won control of the State Senate and increased their majority in the State Assembly. At the beginning of the 2019–2020 legislative session, the Senate Democratic Conference held 39 of the chamber's 63 seats and the Assembly Democratic Conference held 106 of the 150 seats in that chamber. The Senate Democratic Conference increased to 40 seats after Democratic senator Simcha Felder was re-accepted into the Conference.

Constitutional powers

The Legislature is empowered to make law, subject to the governor's power to veto a bill. However, the veto may be overridden by the Legislature if there is a two-thirds vote in favor of overriding in each House. Furthermore, it has the power to propose New York Constitution amendments by a majority vote, and then another majority vote following an election. If so proposed, the amendment becomes valid if agreed to by the voters at a referendum.

History

The legislature originated in the revolutionary New York Provincial Congress, assembled by rebels when the New York General Assembly would not send delegates to the Continental Congress.

The New York State Legislature has had several corruption scandals during its existence. These include the Black Horse Cavalry and Canal Ring.

In the 1840s, New York launched the first great wave of civil procedure reform in the United States by enacting the Field Code. The Code inspired the enactment of similar codes in 26 other states, and gave birth to the term "code pleading" for the system of civil procedure it created.

The first African-American elected to the legislature was Edward A. Johnson, a Republican, in 1917. The first women elected to the legislature were Republican Ida Sammis and Democrat Mary Lilly, both in 1919. The first African-American woman elected to the legislature was Bessie A. Buchanan in 1955.

Five assemblymen were expelled in 1920 for belonging to the Socialist Party.{{cite web

In 2008, when the U.S. Supreme Court reluctantly affirmed the constitutionality of a statute enacted by the New York legislature, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in a concurring opinion: "[A]s I recall my esteemed former colleague, Thurgood Marshall, remarking on numerous occasions: 'The Constitution does not prohibit legislatures from enacting stupid laws.

There is said to be a compact to which members of the New York Legislature unofficially adhere a code of silence regarding behavior such as illicit extramarital affairs or other embarrassing behavior.

Since January 1, 2025, lawmakers are subject to a limit on outside income set to $35,000. Republican members of both chambers were expected to be majorly impacted by the rule and sued to block it, but New York Supreme Court justice Alison Napolitano upheld the limit. It is unclear how the rule will be enforced, roughly 26 assemblymembers and 12 senators would likely have to resign or forfeit their outside income to remain in office.

Legislative leadership

New York State Senate

• President of the Senate: Antonio Delgado
• Majority leader: Andrea Stewart-Cousins
• Minority leader: Rob Ortt

New York State Assembly

• Speaker of the Assembly: Carl Heastie
• Majority leader of the Assembly: Crystal Peoples-Stokes
• Minority leader of the Assembly: William A. Barclay

References

References

1. "New York State Constitution".
2. (2004). "Gibson's New York Legal Research Guide". Wm. S. Hein Publishing.
3. Warren, Olivia A.. (June 23, 2008). "A House Divided in Washington Heights".
4. (September 10, 2018). "Everything You Need to Know About New York's Primary Election on Thursday".
5. "New York State Constitution".
6. McKinley, Jesse. (24 February 2014). "What Is a Majority Vote in the State Senate? The Answer Goes Beyond Simple Math". [[The New York Times]].
7. (2009-03-25). "Branches of Government in New York State".
8. Legislative Law § 25
9. Kallos, Ben. (9 June 2014). "Set the Law Free, Say Council Members Lander, Vacca, Kallos: Legislation to Put Law Online for Free Instead of Behind Paid Subscriptions".
10. Legislative Law § 24
11. Campbell, Jon. (Jan 9, 2019). "History made: Andrea Stewart-Cousins sworn in as NY Senate leader".
12. (January 9, 2019). "Democrat-controlled NY state Legislature starts 2019 session".
13. Reisman, Nick. (July 1, 2019). "Felder Joins Senate Dem Fold".
14. Archdeacon, Thomas J.. (1978). "The Erie Canal Ring, Samuel J. Tilden, and the Democratic Party". New York History.
15. Giroux, Gary. (2013-07-12). "Business Scandals, Corruption, and Reform: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia". ABC-CLIO.
16. (1897). "The Historical Development of Code Pleading in America and England". W.H. Anderson & Co..
17. "Edward A. Johnson (Edward Austin), 1860-1944".
18. "Early Women Elected to the NYS Legislature".
19. (1996). "Notable Black American Women". Gale Research Inc.
20. ''[https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/552/196/ New York State Bd. of Elections v. Lopez Torres]'', 552 U.S. 196, 209 (2008) (Stevens, J., concurring).
21. Baker, Al. (May 16, 2004). "Albany Faces Its Sex Problem, and Nobody's Snickering". The New York Times.
22. Aprey, Jack. (March 19, 2025). "State Supreme Court ruling upholds outside income limit for New York lawmakers".
23. Lyons, Brendon. (March 18, 2025). "'Chaos' after judge upholds law limiting outside income for NY lawmakers".